Bridge-Mounted Dual Integrated Sensor-Lens Assemblies for Spherical Imaging

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Solution Overview

Problem

Existing digital image capturing devices face challenges in producing high-quality, focused images due to misalignments between lenses and image sensors, which are addressed by active alignment procedures but result in complex and lengthy assembly processes.

Innovation Solution

The use of dual integrated sensor-lens assemblies (ISLAs) oriented in opposite directions with a bridge member to secure them, reducing mechanical connections and allowing for efficient alignment and image stitching, facilitated by active alignment and UV/thermal curing processes.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Manufacturing precision

If active alignment procedures are used to measure and adjust lens and image sensor positions during assembly, then image quality is improved, but assembly process complexity and duration increase

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvelens-sensor alignment precisionVSAvoidassembly process complexity

Core Design Contradiction:

Manufacturing precisionVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

The optical module is divided into multiple discrete ISLA units, each with its own mount structure. This segmentation allows each ISLA to be independently aligned and assembled, reducing the overall complexity of the alignment process while maintaining high precision through individual active alignment of each unit.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #1Segmentation

Solution Approach 2:

Mount structures serve as intermediary components between the ISLA units and the bridge member. These mounts provide standardized interfaces that simplify the assembly process, allowing ISLA units to be precisely aligned and secured without requiring complex direct alignment mechanisms between all components.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #24Intermediary (Mediator)

2Adaptability or versatility

If multiple discrete components are used to assemble the optical module, then flexibility in alignment adjustment is improved, but the number of mechanical connections and assembly steps increase

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvealignment adjustment flexibilityVSAvoidnumber of mechanical connections

Core Design Contradiction:

Adaptability or versatilityVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

Multiple ISLA units are integrated onto a single bridge member structure, merging what would otherwise be separate assemblies. This integration reduces the number of mechanical connections required while maintaining alignment flexibility, as the bridge member provides a unified platform for positioning multiple ISLA units with controlled degrees of freedom.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #5Merging (Combining)

3Manufacturing precision

If lens and image sensor positions are adjusted during assembly, then image quality is improved, but assembly time increases

Engineering Contradiction:

Improveoptical alignment accuracyVSAvoidassembly speed

Core Design Contradiction:

Manufacturing precisionVSProductivity

Solution Approach 1:

ISLA units are pre-assembled and pre-aligned as discrete modules before being integrated into the final optical module. This preliminary action allows alignment adjustments to be made to individual units in a simplified manner, reducing the overall assembly time while maintaining high alignment accuracy through standardized mount interfaces.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #10Preliminary action

Data Source

PatentUS12389100B2Digital image capturing devices including lens modules with integrated sensor-lens assemblies

Publication Date: 2025.08.12 GOPRO INC

AI summary

A digital image capturing device (DICD) that includes: a first integrated sensor-lens assembly (ISLA) facing in a first direction; a second ISLA facing in a second direction generally opposite to the first direction; and a bridge member that is positioned between the first ISLA and the second ISLA, wherein the bridge member is configured as a discrete structure that is separate from the first ISLA and the second ISLA.